Man arrested for murdering young child in southwest Colombia

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A young man has been arrested after killing a six-year-old child in Colombia’s southwestern Huila department, local media reported Monday.

The event took place in the La Paz neighborhood of the Neiva municipality, where Jean Pierre Mendez was being transported on a family member’s motorcycle, when the presumed gang member fired upon the two, killing the child.

Bernardo Leyton Rincon, alias “Careplancha,” was identified as the murderer, and, according to Caracol TV, was reported by authorities to be part of a dangerous gang operating in the area.

Upon being arrested by authorities, the 18-year-old, who is cited for a number of previous criminal acts, accepted the charges of homicide and illegally carrying weapons, reported Caracol Radio.